General Medical issues thread

[Quickstatus]

Community health and community nursing just so important. Keeps people out of hospitals. Not enough of them
A lot of things can be done outside of the hospital - SPC and related, IV antibiotics, ulcer management, home TPN. etc etc

 

[Flashback]

An update from a few weeks ago, the sample taken came back as normal, and the full raft of tests I had all came back as normal, within clinically acceptable range or improved (which I suppose is against the last time I had that particular test done). The only one that was outside the range was GFR and that was on the lower side of the acceptable range. According to Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) it suggests early stage kidney disease? My result was 84, so only just short of 90+ which is the acceptable level.

So, back to square one!

 

[Pushka]

An update from a few weeks ago, the sample taken came back as normal, and the full raft of tests I had all came back as normal, within clinically acceptable range or improved (which I suppose is against the last time I had that particular test done). The only one that was outside the range was GFR and that was on the lower side of the acceptable range. According to Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) it suggests early stage kidney disease? My result was 84, so only just short of 90+ which is the acceptable level.

So, back to square one!

I've had GFR in the sixties, and nothing mentioned. A lot of things can influence that. Something as 'simple' as dehydration which is likely after prolonged gastro. The thing will be to monitor any trends. If it stays low and continues to fall then that's the time for further testing.

 

[Flyfrequently]

An update from a few weeks ago, the sample taken came back as normal, and the full raft of tests I had all came back as normal, within clinically acceptable range or improved (which I suppose is against the last time I had that particular test done). The only one that was outside the range was GFR and that was on the lower side of the acceptable range. According to Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) it suggests early stage kidney disease? My result was 84, so only just short of 90+ which is the acceptable level.

So, back to square one!

I'll trade my 61 for your 84 any day @Flashback
But to be fair am doing ok seeing I have only one functioning kidney

 

[Katie]

Update on Teen foot/leg - scans didn't show anything (achilles tendon looked fine), suggested maybe an MRI, but the GP said to wait a couple of weeks before jumping into that. Stopped the daily celebrex last weekend. Still dropping off at school, but had 1-2 days of having to walk home from the bus stop this week.
Yesterday was the school cross country and someone managed to jog along in the fun run without incident, apart from being completely unfit and dramatic about the exertion.

 

[SuePa]

Update on Teen foot/leg - scans didn't show anything (achilles tendon looked fine), suggested maybe an MRI, but the GP said to wait a couple of weeks before jumping into that. Stopped the daily celebrex last weekend. Still dropping off at school, but had 1-2 days of having to walk home from the bus stop this week.
Yesterday was the school cross country and someone managed to jog along in the fun run without incident, apart from being completely unfit and dramatic about the exertion.

That's a good sign, isn't it?

 

[Katie]

That's a good sign, isn't it?

Yes!!

 

[Lynda2475]

The last time I went to the hairdressers (about 5 weeks ago) they left the colour on a little too long and its caused a reaction on my scalp and the delicate skin behind my ears. Ended up with an itchy scalp and dandruff which thanks for some head n shoulders has mostly gone, but now have sore, dry, cracked skin that itches behind my ears to the hairline. I've tried vitamin e cream and savlon with no sign of healing so Im guessing because Ive also been stressed this may have evolved to dermatitis or psoriasis?

Cant get a GP appointment for 2 weeks for a referral to a dermatologist. So do any of the Docs here know whether DermaAid (Hydrocortisone) or EgoPsoryl TA (coal tar, Phenol, Precipitated Sulfur) would be next thing to try?

Also I started an Autumn clean and must have disturbed some dust mites as skin between my fingers is now also itchy and painful; can i use DermaAid on that too?

 

[andye]

The last time I went to the hairdressers (about 5 weeks ago) they left the colour on a little too long and its caused a reaction on my scalp and the delicate skin behind my ears. Ended up with n itch scalp and dandruff which thanks for some head n shoulders has mostly gone, but now have sore, dry, cracked skin that itches behind my ears to the hairline. Ive tried vitamin e cream and savlon with no sign of healing so Im guessing because Ive also been stressed this may have evolved to dermatitis or psoriasis?

Cant get a GP appointment for 2 weeks for a referral to a dermatologist. So do any of the Docs here know whether DermaAid (Hydrocortisone) or EgoPsoryl TA (coal tar, Phenol, Precipitated Sulfur) would be next thing to try?

Also I started an Autumn clean and must have disturbed some dust mites as skin between my fingers is now also itchy and painful; can i use DermaAid on that too?

Emollients first line. Hydrocortisone cream to scalp if red and inflamed is ok.
Itchy skin in finger webs raises concern for scabies ! (look to see if the irritation forms little lines)-if not hydrocortisone ok too
Oral antihistamines can help itchiness

 

[MARTINE]

Emollients first line. Hydrocortisone cream to scalp if red and inflamed is ok.
Itchy skin in finger webs raises concern for scabies ! (look to see if the irritation forms little lines)-if not hydrocortisone ok too
Oral antihistamines can help itchiness

And perhaps get patch test before you get hair dyed next time to rule out allergic contact dermatitis of scalp v irritant. Latter will settle if temporary event ie physical/chemical irritation but former will flare always if sensitized to the dye. Any good hairdresser should know how to do a patch test.
Follow what @andye said

 

[Lynda2475]

Itchy skin in finger webs raises concern for scabies ! (look to see if the irritation forms little lines)-if not hydrocortisone ok too

Definitely not scabies, no little lines, no bumps, no skin to skin contact with anyone to catch it (and Im not poor nor have ive travelled to any poor areas recently). When ever I'm exposed to a lot of dust i get itchy. Its just between one pair of fingers on y left hand , small red patch where i scratched too much, I need to remember to wear gloves when dealing with dusty items.

And perhaps get patch test before you get hair dyed next time to rule out allergic contact dermatitis of scalp v irritant. Latter will settle if temporary event ie physical/chemical irritation but former will flare always if sensitized to the dye.

Its not happened before I have to ask if they have changed brand of colour they are using.

Wondering if there is something topical I can also apply before they start putting colour on to create a barrier in future?

 

[MARTINE]

Definitely not scabies, no little lines, no bumps, no skin to skin contact with anyone to catch it (and Im not poor nor have ive travelled to any poor areas recently). When ever I'm exposed to a lot of dust i get itchy. Its just between one pair of fingers on y left hand , small red patch where i scratched too much, I need to remember to wear gloves when dealing with dusty items.


Its not happened before I have to ask if they have changed brand of colour they are using.

Wondering if there is something topical I can also apply before they start putting colour on to create a barrier in future?

Thats why a patch test is important
Both types of dermatitis look the same on the scalp but allergic can develop any time with products used for months/years . It is an immune response . Or a new product even but still need patch test to see if response recurs.
Whereas ICD (irritant) can be treated and resolve and continue to use the product

It’s important to distinguish the two as management will differ after settling the initial inflammn of the scalp.

 

[Lynda2475]

Will get patch test when I'm back in 2 weeks, hoping the derma aid will start healing it before then. I didn't realize one can suddenly become allergic after years of using something. My other allergy (penicillin) was very apparent first use (and on subsequent tests) and my intolerance for melon also from first try. But I've had the same colour for about 3 years now, maybe time to go back to blonde.

 

[MARTINE]

Interestingly recently in UK went for color
Hairdresser would not do unless they did sensitivity (patch test) first. ACD can also present not only in scalp if product of sensitisation applied there depending on extent of immune response - whereas irritant will be in the area
Anyway - wait to see what skin doctor says before going back to Madonna!

 

[prozac]

The last time I went to the hairdressers (about 5 weeks ago) they left the colour on a little too long and its caused a reaction on my scalp and the delicate skin behind my ears. Ended up with an itchy scalp and dandruff which thanks for some head n shoulders has mostly gone, but now have sore, dry, cracked skin that itches behind my ears to the hairline. I've tried vitamin e cream and savlon with no sign of healing so Im guessing because Ive also been stressed this may have evolved to dermatitis or psoriasis?

Cant get a GP appointment for 2 weeks for a referral to a dermatologist. So do any of the Docs here know whether DermaAid (Hydrocortisone) or EgoPsoryl TA (coal tar, Phenol, Precipitated Sulfur) would be next thing to try?

Also I started an Autumn clean and must have disturbed some dust mites as skin between my fingers is now also itchy and painful; can i use DermaAid on that too?

MrsProzac has had itchy scalp so I bought her Head & Shoulders. Last week she went to the hairdresser who said that H&S dries the scalp and causes, ... itchy scalp. Maybe stop using the H&S.

 

[Lynda2475]

Woohoo managed a GP appointment tomorrow as had waitlisted for a cancellation, hopefully can refer me to dermatologist quickly.

 

[Lynda2475]

MrsProzac has had itchy scalp so I bought her Head & Shoulders. Last week she went to the hairdresser who said that H&S dries the scalp and causes, ... itchy scalp. Maybe stop using the H&S.

Well I only started using H&S after the itchy scalp occurred post colour at the salon, so don't think I can blame that.

And as I said scalp mostly ok now, its just the thinner skin behind my ears that remains inflamed, dry and itchy.

Just applied some DermaAid will see if that helps until I get to the dermatologist.

 

[love_the_life]

Will get patch test when I'm back in 2 weeks, hoping the derma aid will start healing it before then. I didn't realize one can suddenly become allergic after years of using something. My other allergy (penicillin) was very apparent first use (and on subsequent tests) and my intolerance for melon also from first try. But I've had the same colour for about 3 years now, maybe time to go back to blonde.

My SIL developed an allergy to the hair colour she had been using for years - it just blew up and she decided that no colour was the only safe option. Moi - I haven't had hair coloured for years - a tad grey in places but hey - it's easier, quicker and cheaper at the hair dressers!

 

[Flashback]

My SIL developed an allergy to the hair colour she had been using for years - it just blew up and she decided that no colour was the only safe option. Moi - I haven't had hair coloured for years - a tad grey in places but hey - it's easier, quicker and cheaper at the hair dressers!

Mrs FB went silver fox at the age of 16, so dyed her hair for years. In the past 12 months she decided to start moving from reddy brunette (don't ask me!!) to blonde (which she was before she went silver fox......) in order to go all natural, and now has just transitioned completely not having dyed it in months. Makes her look older than she is (or does it?), but actually it looks good and she's happy with it so that's all that matters

 

[Quickstatus]

and Im not poor nor have ive travelled to any poor areas recently

Cue the scabies outbreak at Abbotsleigh Girls School Wahroonga back when Miss QS was a student there.

Does sound like allergic dermatitis. A common discussion item on the Internet forums are people who have used a particular brand for many years then becoming "allergic".

Suggest get the ingredients and do a patch test to each individual ingredient not just to the brand. An allergy specialist will be able to assist.


.............
For those interested in a bit of trivia:

The 2024 Allergen of the Year is "sulfites" .........Der.....
@Lynda2475 you might be interested to know that a particular hair colour ingredient made it on the 2006 Allergen of the Year.